By Ashiadey Dotse
Consumer rights group, CUTS International, is calling on the government to take strong action against commercial drivers who are not following the new transport fare reduction.
The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) recently announced a 15% decrease in fares after fuel prices dropped. This new fare took effect on Saturday, May 24. However, many drivers are still charging the old fares, claiming they have other expenses.
According to Citinews, CUTS International says this is unfair to passengers who are already struggling with high living costs. The group’s West Africa Director, Appiah Kusi Adomako, says drivers who refuse to reduce their fares should be punished.
“It is only fair that passengers benefit from the fuel price drop,” he said.
CUTS is asking the government to give more power to local assemblies to remove the licenses of drivers who do not follow the new fare rules. They also want stickers given to drivers who obey the fare cut, so police can easily identify and deal with those who don’t.
To help passengers during this period, CUTS suggested that buses from public universities such as the University of Ghana and KNUST be used temporarily on busy routes.
Mr. Adomako also called on the government to invest more in public transport, like improving Ayalolo and Metro Mass Transit (MMT) services and creating special bus lanes. He said countries like London, New York, and Seoul have strong public transport systems because their governments support them.
Although Ghana has a free-market economy, Mr. Adomako believes the government must step in to make sure prices are fair, just like how fuel prices are regulated by the National Petroleum Authority (NPA).
“We need transport reforms that put the needs of passengers first,” he added. “The time to act is now.”
